Navigation system for a vessel

ABSTRACT

A component navigational system comprising a video interface unit and multiple purpose-built printed circuit boards that are presented in a card cage unit. A number of the printed circuit boards will be further connected to input sensors for measuring various parameters while other printed circuit boards will be connected to specific output devices. The individual units are comprised of computer and/or electronic and/or electro/mechanical devices. The video interface unit provides single point access to all navigational data as well as providing a user interface for the system. The card-cage unit has multiple bus structures with a plurality of sockets for connection to a power supply, a central processing unit and the purpose built printed circuit boards. The purpose-built printed circuit boards and the central processing unit will communicate bi-directionally by means of a parallel signal bus. The central processing unit will thus be able to process input data, display appropriate information and logically control a specific output device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/904,500, filed on Nov. 12, 2004.

BACKGROUND ON INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present design is generally related to the collection and display ofnavigational data for a sailing vessel, more particularly, to a dataacquisition system which utilizes a parallel bus to connect a pluralityof circuit boards which are in parallel communication with each otherand a computer/controller, and which are in turn connected to aplurality of input and output devices.

2. Description of Prior Art

On modern sailing vessels it is necessary to have reliable navigationinstruments on board. Traditionally instruments that indicate vesselspeed, depth, wind speed and direction have been purchased separately,and each instrument is equipped with it's own display and userinterface, typically function keys. The number of instruments availabletoday has increased sharply with the availability of advanced marineradar, GPS receivers, gyrocompasses and chart-plotters. Theseinstruments must be mounted in such a way that they can be viewed easilyin the cockpit. These instruments are typically mounted in one of twoways: either a bulkhead mount or a cluster mount around the steeringwheel pedestal.

The Bulkhead Mount: This mounting method is achieved by cutting multiplepenetrations in the bulkhead of the vessel typically to one side of themain hatchway. The instruments are then mounted in these penetrationswhere they can be viewed from the wheel or tiller. The instruments arethen electrically connected to a power source and the instrument'ssensor with wiring and cables. This wiring is generally run on thebackside of the bulkhead or inside the boat cabin. Instruments may alsobe mounted on the surface of the bulkhead with a mounting bracket. Inthis case the wiring is typically run on the exterior bulkhead surface.

The Pedestal Cluster: This mounting method is achieved by mounting theinstruments in some configuration about the steering wheel pedestal.Instruments may be mounted with individual mounting brackets or they maybe mounted in a common console. Wiring to these instruments is typicallyfed through the cockpit floor, and it is strapped to the wheel pedestaland routed to the instruments.

Each method has advantages and drawbacks. Bulkhead mounted devices havewiring that is exposed on the bulkhead exterior surface or inside thecabin where it is unsightly. Protecting this wiring from salt-watercorrosion and impact is difficult at best. Further the helmsman's viewof a bulkhead-mounted instrument is easily obscured because passengersand crew are usually seated directly by the bulkheads where theinstruments are mounted. Instruments mounted on the pedestal are easilyviewed, but there is little room for many instruments. Mostpedestal-mounted instruments are exposed and can be easily impacted ordamaged. Multiple power, antenna and sensor cables are again exposed andunprotected.

With the extraordinary advances in technology today, many improvementshave been made in the area of marine instrumentation. Many traditionalinstruments are now manufactured with serial communication (networking)capability built in. Multiple units can be networked to a laptopcomputer to assimilate data. Many autopilot units are now capable ofserial communication with GPS receivers, chart-plotters and radar units.Mounting and utilizing all these devices in such a way that they arepresented in a functional and convenient manner is difficult at best.

The drawbacks to the state-of-the-art methodology are that eachinstrument is presented in it's own housing, and each instrument mustprovide it's own display, user interface and power regulation. Also eachinstrument is mounted separately in a unique location. Connecting allthese devices to power sources, antenna, sensors and serialcommunication systems is a difficult and laborious task. Thisinstallation requires large amounts of wiring and cable, which aredifficult to conceal, protect and maintain. This approach is expensive,redundant, unsightly and generally tedious to use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A component navigational system in accordance with the present designconsists of a video interface unit and multiple purpose-built printedcircuit boards that are presented in a card cage unit. A number of theprinted circuit boards are further connected to input sensors formeasuring various parameters while other printed circuit boards areconnected to specific output devices. The video interface unit providessingle point access to all navigational data as well as providing a userinterface for the system. The card-cage unit has multiple bus structureswith a plurality of sockets for connection to a power supply, a centralprocessing unit and the purpose built printed circuit boards. Theseprinted circuit boards and the central processing unit will communicatebi-directionally by means of a parallel signal bus. The centralprocessing unit will thus be able to process input data, displayappropriate information and logically control a specific output device.

The video interface unit (VIU) will consist of a flat screen displayunit mounted in a weatherproof housing. This unit will be provided withfunction keys and/or a “touch screen” and a series of menus throughwhich the user can configure the unit and display various graphicscreens. Because of its small size and low profile, the VIU can bemounted to the wheel pedestal, a bulkhead or a cockpit wall. This VIUwill communicate to the card-cage unit over a single CAT5 network cableusing keyboard-video-mouse (KVM) technology. The VIU will provide datadisplays from all of the purpose-built printed circuit boards and theinput sensors. This approach eliminates all but two (2) cables runningto the cockpit. This approach also reduces the number of navigationalinstrument displays unit in the cockpit to one. A second VIU equippedwith a keyboard may also be located at the navigation center or someother location.

The card-cage unit (CCU) will consist of a framework to support andprotect the purpose-built printed circuit cards and a back plane, whichhas integrated communication and power buses. The bus work will havemultiple parallel electrical conductors to provide a parallelcommunication pathway between the CPU and the purpose-built printedcircuit boards. Multiple parallel electrical conductors will also beprovided to distribute power from the power supply to the printedcircuit boards and the CPU. The back plane will have a multiple edgeconnector sockets electrically connected to the power and communicationbuses. These sockets will “mate” with electrical contacts on thepurpose-built printed circuit boards such that the printed circuitboards will be electrically connected to the power bus and thecommunication bus. The CCU will be housed in an enclosure to protect theunit from impact and exposure to a harsh or corrosive environment. Thisunit will have appropriate penetrations for cable and wire connections,as well as appropriate wiring and waterproofing appliances. The CCUshall be located in a protected area such as under a navigation centeror inside a storage compartment. The multitude of wires and cables canbe installed to the CCU in a protected fashion that is out of site.

The power supply will consist of electronic components that will providefiltered, protected and regulated voltage to the components of thenavigation system. This power supply will draw power from the boat's12-volt DC power system. The power supply will be designed to reside inthe card-cage unit, and it will be connected to the power bus via theedge connector socket.

The central processing unit will consist of a microprocessor, memory, anoperating system and the necessary electronic components to produce afunctional computer/controller. The CPU will be designed to reside inthe card cage unit. This CPU will attach to the signal bus and power busvia edge connector sockets. The CPU will process data presented by theprinted circuit boards and update graphics displays and adjust outputdevices through other printed circuit cards.

The purpose-built printed circuit boards will be designed to perform oneor more functions such as a depth sounder, an anemometer, a speedindicator, etc. These boards will have sufficient electrical orelectronic components to perform that board's specific function. Theseboards may include firmware and/or software suitable for that board'sspecific function. The circuit boards will have edge contacts on theinner edge (the back edge) of the board. These contacts are designed to“mate” to the edge connector sockets located on the back plane. Thecircuit boards will then be connected to a specific input sensor, whichwill be suited for that board's specific function. The input sensor(s)will be connected to the outer edge (the front side) of the circuitboard. Other purpose-built circuit boards may include but are notlimited to a video/KVM board, a GPS receiver board, a radar interfaceboard, a DC power monitor board, an autopilot interface board, agyrocompass board, a collision avoidance board, a weather band radioreceiver, an engine parameter board, a CD-ROM board, a read/write CD-ROMboard or a chart-plotter board.

The sensors will be electronic or electro/mechanical in nature. Anelectronic sensor may be but is not limited to a temperature probe or asonar transducer. An electro-mechanical transducer may be but is notlimited to a paddle-wheel type speed sensor or a wind vane. Other inputsmay be fuel, water or bilge level sensing units.

The output devices will be electronic or electro/mechanical in nature.An output device may be a bilge pump or a ventilator for the enginecompartment. Another device may be the actuator of an autopilot systemor a backstay adjuster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: Schematic representation of the system

FIG. 2: The video interface unit and keyboard

FIG. 3: The card cage unit

FIG. 4: The waterproof enclosure and card cage unit

FIG. 5: The printed circuit boards

FIG. 6: Various sensors and transducers

FIG. 7: The exploded view of the system

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings a component navigational system for a sailingvessel is comprised of one or multiple video interface units as depictedin FIG. 2 and other components. The Video Interface Unit (or VIU) is avideo display device consisting of a flat panel video display 1 that ishoused in a waterproof enclosure 2. The flat panel display unit may be aTFT VGA 10.4 inch panel display, however many other panel sizes areavailable. This unit will have sufficient illumination intensity toprovide good visibility in full sunlight. The display unit may have anoptional “touch screen” interface.

Video signals, keypad and mouse control signals are communicated to andfrom the VIU via a keyboard-video-mouse (or KVM) interface unit FIG. 2,3. The KVM unit allows all three types of control signals to be sent andreceived over a single CAT5 communication cable.

The VIU may have multiple function keys FIG. 2, 4 for a specificfunction, and the unit may have multiple “soft keys” 4 b that functiondifferently from display page to display page. The user may displayseveral different graphic pages, or access menus, or configure systemparameters by using the function and/or soft keys. The VIU will alsohave a waterproof speaker 5 for audio alarms or signals. Multiple VIUsmay be used with this system. These video units can be easily mountedand wired requiring only 12-volt power and a single CAT5 cable. A VIUmay also be equipped with a keyboard 6 for a more conventional interfaceat a protected location such as the navigation center.

Referring to the drawings a component navigational system for a sailingvessel consists of a card-cage unit as depicted in FIG. 3 and othercomponents. This illustration depicts a card-cage with ten slots,however the card cage may be provided with more or fewer slots asrequired. Additional card-cage units may also be connected to the systemto increase the number of cards used in a given system. The card-cageunit (or CCU) is comprised of a framework 7 to support and protect thepurpose-built printed circuit cards, and a back plane 8, which hasintegrated communication and power buses. The framework will be securedinto a protective housing FIG. 4, 25 by mounting tabs FIG. 3, 9 locatedon the upper and lower external horizontal surfaces of the unit.

The back plane FIG. 3, 8 shall have a bus work that will have multipleparallel electrical conductors to provide a communication pathwaybetween the CPU card and the purpose-built printed circuit boards.Multiple parallel electrical conductors will also be provided todistribute power from the power supply card to the printed circuitboards and the CPU. The back plane will have one or multiple edgeconnector sockets 10 for each slot space. These sockets willelectrically connected to the power and communications buses. Thesesockets will “mate” with electrical contacts FIG. 5, 12 on thepurpose-built printed circuit boards such that these boards will beelectrically connected to the power bus and the communication bus. Cardguides FIG. 3, 11 will be provided on the upper and lower interiorhorizontal surfaces. These guides will ensure that the printed circuitcards properly align with the edge connectors located on the back plane.

FIG. 4 illustrates the CCU is to be housed in an enclosure 25 to protectthe unit from impact and exposure to harsh or corrosive environments.This unit will have appropriate penetrations for cable and wireconnections, as well as appropriate wiring and waterproofing appliances26 such as CGB cable or bulkhead seal fittings.

Referring to the drawings a component navigational system for a sailingvessel comprising multiple purpose-built printed circuit boards asdepicted in FIG. 5 and other components. The purpose-built circuitboards will be designed to perform one or multiple functions such as adepth sounder and speed indicator circuitry combined on one circuitboard FIG. 7, 22. The purpose-built circuit boards will be populatedwith sufficient electrical or electronic components to perform thespecific function(s). These boards may include firmware and/or softwaresuitable for the specific function. The circuit boards will have edgecontacts 12 on the inner edge (the back edge) of the board. Thesecontacts are designed to “mate” to the edge connector sockets located onthe back plane FIG. 3, 10. The circuit boards will then be connected toa specific input sensor (or transducer), which will be suited for thatboard's specific function(s). The transducer will be connected to theouter edge (the front side) of the circuit board by means of a terminalstrip FIG. 5, 13 or some other specific connection device. These circuitboards will be equipped with LEDs 14, which will indicate the operatingstatus of the boards. Other purpose-built circuit boards may include butare not limited to a wind speed and direction board FIG. 7, 23, a GPSreceiver board, a radar interface board, an autopilot interface board, achart-plotter board, a weather band receiver board, an engine inputboard, a collision avoidance board, a DC power monitor board, agyro-compass board, a CD-ROM board or a read/write CD-ROM board.

Referring to the drawings a component navigational system for a sailingvessel will consist of multiple sensors and transducers as depicted inFIG. 6 and other components. The transducers will be electronic orelectro/mechanical in nature. An electronic transducer may be but is notlimited to a temperature probe or a sonar transceiver 15. Anelectro-mechanical sensor may be but is not limited to a paddle-wheeltype speed pick-up 16 or a wind vane and wind speed indicator 17. Otherdevices may be but are not limited to an external GPS antenna 18.

Referring to the drawings a component navigational system for a sailingvessel comprising a power supply card FIG. 7, 19, a CPU card 20 and avideo interface card with KVM interface 21 and other components.

The power supply card FIG. 7, 19 will have the same physical dimensionsand design as the purpose-build printed circuit boards. This powersupply will attach to the back plane via the edge connector socket(s),and it will thus be connected to the power bus. The power supply willoccupy one slot in the card-cage unit. The power supply card will drawpower from the boat's 12-volt DC power system, and provide filtered,protected and regulated voltage to the components of the navigationsystem.

The central processing unit FIG. 7, 20 (or CPU) will have the samephysical dimensions and design as the purpose-build printed circuitboards. This CPU will attach to the back plane via the edge connectorsocket(s), and it will thus be connected to the communication and powerbuses. The CPU will occupy one slot in the card-cage unit. The CPU willconsist of a processor, memory and the necessary electronic componentsto produce a functional computer/controller. Large amounts ofcartographic data, programs, etc. can be downloaded to the unit via aserial link from a personal computer or from a CD-ROM unit. The systemmay use any operating system desired, and any application and graphicsprogram can be developed to convey a wide variety of navigational andcartographic information.

The video interface card FIG. 7, 21 (or VIC) will have the same physicaldimensions and design as the purpose-build printed circuit boards. ThisVIC will attach to the back plane via the edge connector socket(s), andit will thus be connect to the communications and power buses. The VICwill occupy one slot in the card-cage unit. The VIC will consist of aKVM interface circuit and the necessary electronic video components tosupport a VGA display. The Video Interface Card will connect directly tothe Video Interface Unit via a CAT5 cable.

1. A component navigational system, comprising: a video interface unitdisposed on a marine vessel; a card-cage unit disposed on a vessel,wherein the card-cage unit comprises; a plurality of purpose-builtprinted circuit boards; a central processing unit, wherein the centralprocessing unit is in communication with the video interface unit; aparallel signal bus connecting the signal circuits of the centralprocessing unit and those of the purpose-built printed circuit boards; apower supply; a power distribution bus connecting the power supply tothe power circuits of the central processing unit and those of thepurpose-built printed circuit boards; and multiple input sensors andoutput devices connected to the purpose-built printed circuit boards. 2.The component navigation system of claim 1, wherein the video interfaceunit comprises a flat panel display.
 3. The component navigation systemof claim 2, wherein the video interface unit utilizes multiple functionkeys and/or soft keys to provide user input.
 4. The component navigationsystem of claim 2, wherein the video interface unit utilizes a touchscreen and/or a keyboard to provide user input.
 5. The componentnavigation system of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein the flat panel display,function keys, soft keys and the touch-screen are presented in awaterproof housing which protects the electronic components.
 6. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 2, 3, or 4, wherein the flat paneldisplay, the function keys, the soft keys and the touch-screen are insignal communication with the system by means of CAT5/KVM interface. 7.The component navigation system of claim 1, wherein the card-cage unitcomprises a back plane which has multiple integral bus structures and aframework to house the purpose-built printed circuit boards.
 8. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 1, wherein the parallel signal buscomprises multiple electrical conductor lines located on a back plane.9. The component navigation system of claim 1, wherein the parallelpower bus has multiple electrical conductor lines located on a backplane.
 10. The component navigation system of claim 8 or 9, wherein thesignal conductors and the power conductors of the back plane areelectrically connected to edge connector sockets.
 11. The componentnavigation system of claim 7, wherein the card-cage unit will be housedin a protective waterproof enclosure.
 12. The component navigationsystem of claim 1, wherein the power supply comprises a voltageregulator, a surge suppressor and filters designed to provide cleanelectric power to the various components in the card-cage unit.
 13. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 12, wherein the power supplyresides in the card-cage unit, and the power supply is attached to thepower bus of a back plane via the edge connector sockets.
 14. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 1, wherein the central processingunit comprises a processor, memory, an operating system and thenecessary electronic components to produce a functional computer. 15.The component navigation system of claim 14, wherein the centralprocessing unit is designed to reside in the card-cage unit, and thecentral processing unit is attached to the signal bus of a back planevia edge connector sockets.
 16. The component navigation system of claim2, 3 or 4, wherein the video interface unit provides data displays,cartographic displays, configuration menus, and a means for user input.17. The component navigation system of claim 1, wherein thepurpose-built printed circuit boards have electronic componentssufficient to perform the functions.
 18. The component navigation systemof claim 17, wherein the purpose-built printed circuit boards have edgecontacts on an inner edge of the purpose-built printed circuit board,and wherein the edge contacts are mated to edge connector socketslocated on a back plane.
 19. The component navigation system of claim17, wherein the purpose-built printed circuit boards are connected tospecific input sensor, which is suited for the specific input sensor'sfunction, and wherein the specific input sensors are connected to theouter edge of the purpose-built circuit board.
 20. The componentnavigation system of claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-builtprinted circuit board provides the function of a video interface card.21. The component navigation system of claim 20, wherein the videointerface card provides the function of a CAT5/KVM interface.
 22. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 21, wherein the video interfaceunit and the video interface card are in signal communication by meansof the CAT5/KVM interface.
 23. The component navigation system of claim17, wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuit board providesthe function of a depth sounder.
 24. The component navigation system ofclaim 17, wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuit boardprovides the function of a speedometer.
 25. The component navigationsystem of claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuitboard provides the function of an anemometer.
 26. The componentnavigation system of claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-builtprinted circuit board provides the function of a gyrocompass.
 27. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 17, wherein at least onepurpose-built printed circuit board provides the function of a GPSreceiver.
 28. The component navigation system of claim 17, wherein atleast one purpose-built printed circuit board provides the function of achart plotter.
 29. The component navigation system of claim 17, whereinat least one purpose-built printed circuit board provides the functionof a radar interface.
 30. The component navigation system of claim 17,wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuit board provides thefunction of an autopilot interface.
 31. The component navigation systemof claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuit boardprovides the function of a weather band receiver.
 32. The componentnavigation system of claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-builtprinted circuit board provides the function of a CD-ROM unit.
 33. Thecomponent navigation system of claim 17, wherein at least onepurpose-built printed circuit board provides the function of aread/write CD-ROM unit.
 34. The component navigation system of claim 17,wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuit board provides thefunction of an engine parameter monitor.
 35. The component navigationsystem of claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-built printed circuitboard provides the function of a DC power monitor.
 36. The componentnavigation system of claim 17, wherein at least one purpose-builtprinted circuit board provides the function of a collision avoidanceunit.
 37. The component navigation system of claim 1, wherein the inputsensors comprise electrical or electro/mechanical devices to providespecific data.
 38. The component navigation system of claim 1, whereinthe output devices comprise electric or electro/mechanical apparatus toperform a specific task.
 39. The component navigation system of claim 1,wherein the inner edges of each of the purpose-built printed circuitboards are interchangeably adapted to a back plane of the card-cageunit, and the outer edge of each of the purpose-built printed circuitboards are independently connected to a specific input sensor.